The Overnight Chosen Wife: darling, kiss me deeper-Chapter 619: Sudden departure

Although Linhou wanted nothing more than to pretend he didn’t hear the phone ring, he knew better than to blow off Han Xichen. That was a death wish and he still wanted to remain alive, at least long enough to explore his brand-new relationship with Yue.

So, although it pained him to do it, he forced himself out of the pool and grabbed a towel. He took a quick shower in the changing room’s bathroom and walked out just as Yue stepped out of the women’s room.

"Ready to face your dad?" he asked with a mischievous grin, making her laugh.

"You make it sound like my dad is a monster of some sort."

Well, he wasn’t, but that didn’t mean he was not going to go ballistic. Linhou winced when he remembered how the man had looked at him.

However, Han Xichen had let him take his daughter out after all. That had to count for something.

When they arrived at the Han residence, Linhou could feel daggers shooting through his skin. He knew Han Xichen was watching even though he hadn’t seen the man yet. When he glanced up to the first floor windows, he realized he was right. Han Xichen was standing by his window, watching them.

He pretended not to have noticed and circled the car to open the door for Yue. She placed her hand in his and once she got down, she kissed his cheek.

"It will be alright." She assured him.

He nodded, only half-believing that. The only reason why Han Xichen was yet to kill him was because he was friends with Jiang Xingyu.

By the time they finally got into the house, Han Xichen was in the living area waiting for them.

"You wanted to speak to me, dad?" Yue started, ending the awkward silence that was threatening to build.

Han Xichen looked at the two of them, a solemn expression settling on his face. "Come with me. Both of you."

The young couple exchanged glances. Was this it? Was he going to forbid them from being together?

Linhou glanced down at Yue’s hand and held it. He couldn’t say a word lest he anger Han Xichen into exploding, but he still wanted to offer her reassurance.

Han Xichen didn’t think any man was good enough for his daughter, but he loved her too much to want to break her heart. At least, that was what Linhou hoped.

He knew there were many families where the parents didn’t care whether or not their children were happy, as long as their reputation was preserved. Most of the time, the children had only committed the unthinkable sin of falling in love with someone from a different social class.

Although that crossed his mind, he knew this was not the case with Han Xichen. Even if the Jiang family wasn’t wealthy with a good reputation, he wouldn’t care about social class as long as his daughter was happy, right?

He held onto this hope as they followed Han Xichen to his study.

The man sat behind his huge mahogany desk and waited for the two of them to sit on the couch opposite before he took out an envelope and held it out.

"Yue," He called when neither of them reached for it.

Yue stood and walked over to take the envelope, then walked back to the couch and sat down with a frown. What was this, and why did it feel so heavy? It was a legal-sized envelope as well, making her senses heighten. Was it something from the hospital? Was her father okay? Her mother?

She flipped it around to open it and her face paled when she saw the logo she had not noticed. It looked like a single-line drawing of a mermaid, with the letters SMC cutting through it.

The Siren Music Conservatory. She knew it was an acceptance letter even before she opened it.

No wonder her father looked like he was pleased and upset at the same time.

She finally explained to Linhou, "I applied to the music conservatory. I was accepted." She said, then she opened the envelope and read some of the contents of the documents to make sure she was not starting this conversation for nothing.

Linhou frowned.

He had always known how magical Yue’s fingers sounded on a keyboard. However, he thought it was a passing hobby to her and didn’t know she had applied to go to a conservatory.

Still, why didn’t she look happy about it? If she wanted to go, shouldn’t she be jumping up and down for joy?

"Why doesn’t that make you happy?" he asked.

She let out a sigh. "It’s..." she shut her eyes and opened them. "In London."

Linhou’s heart fell. "What?"

Knowing they would need a moment, Han Xichen stood. "I already booked a plane ticket for you and your mother is packing your luggage. If you decide not to go, we can cancel your plane ticket."

Yue nodded as her father left and shut the door behind him.

She then added to her boyfriend, "the letter came late. It must have been delayed for some reason. I have to leave as soon as possible if I’m to make it in time for my first classes." She showed him the reporting date.

He swallowed. "You’re...leaving?"

It pained her to say it but she nodded. "I didn’t know I would get in. I applied on a whim. But now that it’s here...and I was accepted, I really want this, Linhou. I’m sorry."

He shook his head. This was a shock, but she had nothing to apologize for. Especially since she didn’t know either.

He wanted nothing more than to ask her to stay. Their relationship had just begun. But, he didn’t want to hold her back either.

He knew if she asked her to, she would reject the acceptance for him. But that may haunt her in future. She may always feel a sense of loss.

So instead of pulling her into his arms like he so badly wanted to, he kissed the top of her head.

"Do you think your dad will let me drive you to the airport? Or at least tag along?"

She dropped the documents and held his face with both hands, her tears finally falling as she kissed him.

"This isn’t goodbye, Linhou." She said as soon as she broke the kiss. "I’ll text you every single day. And you better respond."

Relief finally settled in his stomach. He’d been half scared she would break up with him because of the distance they would have between them.

"Make that a video call." He winked. He kissed her again, feeling like he was starting to miss her even though she was yet to come to terms with her sudden departure.

_____

The following day.

Linhou wasn’t the only one who was shocked by Yue’s sudden departure. Han Xichen had to inform the rest of his friends and family the night before, so they all got a chance to say goodbye before Yue left for the airport.

The Han residence was bustling with activity over breakfast, with hugs being exchanged and tears being shed.

"You better send all the pictures of London." Xiaomu said. She had never been to a different city from the one she grew up in, let alone to Europe.

"I will." Yue promised.

Luna kissed her cheek. "Call in when you can, sweetheart. I’m going to miss you so much. And my son will miss chewing on your hair." She grabbed the chance to throw a jab at Linhou, making everyone laugh at his expense.

Linhou, who had just arrived, groaned. "Thanks a lot, mum. You’re supposed to be rooting for me. Not giving my girlfriend reasons to ditch me."

Yue grinned. "Don’t worry. I wouldn’t." She frowned when she took a good look at him. He was all dressed up like he was going somewhere, and there was a suitcase a few steps behind him which she was sure wasn’t hers.

She blinked.

"Are you going somewhere too?"

He nodded. "Yes. To London."

She raised a brow.

He stepped in closer to her and took both of her hands and kissed them. "Yue, I know this is sudden and it’s going to take some time to settle in. But I can’t stay away from you for a single day. The thought of you being away for two years is torture to even think about. So, you know, I’m coming. I’m following you halfway across the globe."

Yue perked up. "I love you."

"I love you too." He pecked her lips, then it quickly spiraled into a heated kiss until Luna cleared her throat.

He pulled away. "Right. Our parents." He grinned and leaned in to whisper. "We have all the time in the world."